2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

So a couple of weeks ago I bought this 2006 ext cab short bed work truck w/ 4.3/auto with 246k miles. Engine is probably locked down.

So I figured I had three options.
1) Fix/Replace 4.3 and drive or more likely sell.
2) V8 swap and drive or most likely sell.
3) Swap it over to 4wd w/ V8 and more likely to keep than sell.

Luckily enough I came across a 2006 ext cab short bed 4x4 4.8/Auto with about 180k. Owner said it was parted out for a LS swap in his jeep and that it all ran fine. So I went and checked it out. Had him deliver it for me last night.

Total cost in both trucks so far is <$2k.

Here is the 06 2wd 4.3

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...psrvd1bjp7.jpg

Here is the 06 4x4 4.8. Also guy swore up and down it had 5.3 and I had to show him the vin and rpo codes said different. LR4. Oh well. Plenty for what I need it for. I can drive it around and seems to run perfectly fine. I cant check codes even though it has check engine light on, my obdii scanner wont work, I put a fuse in cig fuse place b/c it was missing and still wont work. Missing exhaust from muffler back.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0nhf9mps.jpg

Front end cranked up I imagine to clear these 35"s.

Parked next to the body donor.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0dplkrh4.jpg

Engine pics:

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6bhrwdx3.jpg

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...psv59oereu.jpg

So anyways. Plan is to swap the body from the 06 2wd onto the 06 4wd chassis.

I don't have a lift so I am just trying to carefully plan how I am going to do it. Any thoughts? I really want to keep front clip and cab together.

Anything I will need to change?

Ill try to do a how to as I go along.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

No thoughts or advice? I cant be the first.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

The MAF is on backwards. I don't see much trouble in what your doing, You may have to change the dash harness, Check for the 4wd switch connectors behind the "cubby hole" in the 2wd dash. Do both have manual A/C?

The lower steering shaft is different between the 2. (Rack vs Gear box).

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Yeah I fixed the MAF lol. I noticed that when the guy sent me pics, I also added the complete V8 air intake back on it.

Cubby hole? I will definitely have to check that out. Do I need the switch even if the 4x4 is manual instead of electric?

Both have manual AC and am/fm radio only. Both were work truck editions with manual windows and such.

Ahh!! I didn't think about steering shaft/gear box. Luckily my 4x4 donor has all that. Although the steering column is real loose up near the steering wheel like someone has jerked on it rather hard, do I need to use it from the 4x4 donor or will the one from the 2wd work with the 4x4 shaft? It would be easier to keep the key for the 2wd b/c it matches doors and such, I am just unsure if it will upset VATS.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

I didn't think of it being manual 4wd, Check the floorboard for being different (besides the hole)

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Yeah I wasn't sure if the cabs were different between 4x4 and 4x2 minus hole in the floor for manual shifter. I know both have the hump. I will have to double check to be sure. I hope it isn't like a squarebody.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

So I bought some lift straps from harbor freight today. 20' long and supposedly can hold 4k lbs. Going to try and use them and a front end loader to lift cab later this week when rain is gone. Wish me luck!! Also cabs seem the same.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Cabs are the same.

The main Difference is in the frame and 4x4 specific components.

Your ECU will not be set up for the 4x4 stuff so that will pose 1 small issue. Either use all the matching electronics from the donor chassis or have yours flashed to activate the 4x4 stuff.

You can use a floor jack and block up the cab and front sheet metal, then roll out the old chassis and swap in the new.

What ever you do Be very careful not to damage the cab/sheet metal.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

My plan is to swap over everything specific from the 06 v8 4x4 that has to deal with VATs, such as pcm/ecu and body control module, I am wondering about ignition switch though. The steering column in the 06 4x4 is really loose or broken and the 06 2wd one is perfect.

I have tried to think of a way to block it up and roll out chassis but I can't, every way I look at it, it looks like I would have to remove rear wheels or the rearend completely.

I have noticed cabs are the same but I will have to cut a hole in floor pan for the manual 4x4 shifter I think.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

This was a lot of fun!

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...psljpa1lwm.jpg

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...pssmkfayjt.jpg

Cut hole for manual tcase shifter.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...psbzixbtt6.jpg

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...pslfpqhhv5.jpg

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...pssvdcgn5y.jpg

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...ps53adutfv.jpg

TADA!! 2006 4.3 2wd to 2006 4.8 4wd chassis/body swap

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...pss92ce3y4.jpg

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...pspex7wy23.jpg

Trying to figure out what lift is on it or if torsion bars are cranked to ridiculous max.

Front fender height. Minus about 1/2" because not set all the way down. The rear measure 39 1/2" on 32" bald tires and the front is sitting on 35" bald tires.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0zrj3lw5.jpg

Still gotta hook everything back up. See what wiring combo it will take to start it :)

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Great job! I'm jealous of the rust free trucks you have down there; the rockers and cab corners on my 2001 are basically non existent.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Thanks!!

That sucks! I have an entire 01 ecsb cab minus doors I robbed for my ls swap but all metal is there. That plus the 06 cab that was already cut up. Idk what to do with them, I want to pull glass from both and cut firewall and floor pan out of at least one before I send them off for scrap.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Can anyone help with this? I posted a new thread but no help thus far.

Just did a body swap 06 4.3 2wd to 06 4.8 4x4. Cant get it to Start. HELP??
 

I have a thread in the 99-06 board but havn't gotten any help yet.

Re: Just did a body swap 06 4.3 2wd to 06 4.8 4x4. Cant get it to Start. HELP??
 

You have to have the BCM from the same truck the PCM and ignition switch came from. They are programmed to work together. I dont think they can be reprogrammed.

Re: Just did a body swap 06 4.3 2wd to 06 4.8 4x4. Cant get it to Start. HELP??
 

Yeah that is what I did. I took the body control module and the ignition/key switch (the part that just slides out when you press the pin in) from the 06 4.8 4x4 cab harness and put that in the 06 4.3 2wd cab harness.

I tried the reset procedure thing for passlock but it didn't work.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

your threads have been merged


XIV. Multiple Posting - It is simply not acceptable to post your question more than once, or to post it in more than one forum. Choose the forum that your question or post best fits in, and place it there and only there. If, after posting, you feel it should be in another forum, private message the forum Moderator and ask if they would move it for you.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

I just wasn't sure it was best asked. I just figured the LSX swappers knew more about VATS/Passlock. Just trying to find help, I apologize.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

I did the key relearn correctly and it worked! Fired up! Only had one code at first. P0030 then a minute later it got P0053 then it started misfiring and got a P0300 code. No clue, it was running smooth as silk before I swapped body.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Did you forget to plug in an o2 sensor?

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

I actually didn't unplug anything except the cab harness from the fuse panel. The only thing I could find that wasn't pluged up was that one thing in the pic posted above. The blue wire with the round end. Still trying to figure that out.

I will have to investigate further to see if I accidently knocked anything loose when I lowered the body onto the frame or if I pinched anything.

It really is running kinda crappy now. I did find that the evap vent solenoid got broke right at the top of it, but it hasn't even thrown a code for that.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

It is running pretty good besides the O2 sensor code. I plan to swap it out tomorrow.

Another issue is the coolant that goes through the throttle body. I now am rocking a V6 radiator and don't want to swap it out for the V8 one at the moment, I want to put that on another truck. What is the best way to "bypass" it? Can I just block it off with a vacuum cap? Doubtful, I am sure it is under some pressure.

It needs tires but don't want to go stock b/c it is lifted.

Gonna rob the wheels an tires off the 2wd chassis as well as the exhaust from cat back and even the front brakes. Ready to get this thing road worthy.

Hopefully I can score a ps mirror, lower bumper valance and some fender trim from the junkyard.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Swapped in the front 02 from v6. Had to plug it in upside down?

Also I keep getting code P0030. As soon as I erase it with scanner I hear a click under hood, (doesn't seem to come from fuse box). As soon as I erase it clicks and brings it back.

Now getting code P0171.

I swapped the v6 cat back muffler and tail pipe on the truck. The v8 muffler was cut off and it was just a few feet of straight pipe after the y. Sounded ok but I felt like it was probably killing bottom end torque.

Took it down the road and it wobbled up front. I swapped on the steel 17s from te 2wd donor, had 265/70 r17s on it. Gonna give it another go tomorrow.

I'm worried about trans being weak..

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

V6 vs v8 sensors are different part numbers i beleive. Have you repalced the broke evap part? Vacumm leak will cause miss fires

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Really? I searched replacement 02s for both 06 V6 and 06 V8 and came up same #.

I did replace it with a spare I had and misfire is gone.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Hey guys. I have a 2001 Z71 donor that I used for my ls swap. It has 3.73 front end and (3.73 posi) rear end under it. (Rear disc.) I want to take that out and swap it in to get rid of my current 3.42 setup. Thoughts? Any links to threads of swapping them out? I have swapped quite a few rearends but for this I will need to go from disc to drum conversion and I have never swapped a IFS front end by myself. Thoughts? 3.42s are killing this truck even with stock size 265/70/17 tires, and I want to go up to more of a 33" tall tire, maybe an all terrain.

This truck will be used to tow and work out of. It won't see any mud playing unless it happens accidently.

Also considering doing vette servo, having trans flushed and filter changed and maybe putting in a transgo HD2 shift kit.

How it sits now.. I need a air deflector for it bad and fender flares.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...psb0fijovv.jpg

My 3 LS trucks.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...psez0558bf.jpg

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...psabkuj6vk.jpg

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...psdhdjz65c.jpg

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...pskfjyfkol.jpg

They all need baths and more work.

I also plan, if I get to do the swap, to take the rearend (3.42 posi) from the 06 now 4x4 and swap it into my crew cab with just has 3.42 peg leg now and rear drum conversion, those rear disc are useless.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Great job on the swap!

I can't help with the axle swaps, but just want to add something to think about/research.

You may have to replace the MC/Prop valve (do they even have one?) and/or ABS control module for the brakes to work correctly when swapping from rear drum to disc and vice versa. I've owned a 00 Z71 for the past 10 years and I've never paid attention to how the brakes work so I'm not even 100% sure on all the modern components. Maybe you don't have to do anything? Also, in my opinion the rear disc brakes are nothing to rave about. I do like the 3.73 rear gear I have though, so I think it would be worth the swap for the gearing.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Thanks!!! It definitely was worth it/work/$!

Yeah I do NOT want the rear disc, I want to take them off my 01 Z71 axles and chunk them and replace them with the drums from the rear of the 06 2wd.

Yeah got to have the 3.73s!! The 3.42s suck so bad! I have them on my 04 crew cab short bed w/ 5.3 and with the 20's and equivalent of 32" tall tires they suck!!! I don't live near any interestate so I am mostly cruising 55-65 which has the crew cab at like 1500 rpms and is sluggish...

Gotta have atleast 3.73s on the 4x4! I wish I had 4.10s but low on cash and need to use what I got.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

So I was outside after work today looking at what it would take to take the rear end out of the 01 Z71 donor. I noticed the leaf springs were different than the ones on the 2006.

Here is a pic of the ones off the 01 Z71.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...psnbxtte4o.jpg

Here is a pic of the ones off the 2006 4x4

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...psoottbelb.jpg

So maybe the 2006 4x4 didn't come with towing package or something so came with weaker springs? I measured them and from axle tube to top of the spring on the 01 is 5" and the 06 is 4". So looks like when I do rearend swap for 3.73s I will gain an inch of lift! Woot woot! Free lift haha.

So I got froggy and pulled the rear and front end.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...pskshdh78v.jpg

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Pulled the front brake setup off the 06 2wd chassis to put on my 04 crew cab.

I also pulled all the rear drum brake setup from it as well to put on the 01 rearend I am swapping into the 06 for the 3.73 and towing springs.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1y4g6ale.jpg

Hopefully once I pull the rearend from the 06 4x4 it will be in good shape, it is supposed to be 3.42 posi so it may go in the rear of my 04 crew cab so it will get the better drum brake rear and a posi. Screw the peg leg.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Just got in from doing front brakes on the truck. Had rotors turned and new pads. Found one bolt was jerry rigged on there with a spacer, apparently they lost the oem one. I replaced it with another I had from parts truck.

New 02 sensor cleared the codes it was giving and put in a new oil pressure switch.

Took it for a ride to test brakes and all and man... 4.8, 265/70/17s and 3.42s make for a slow ass truck. I hope the 3.73 swap helps some.. I was wanting to step up to 285/70/17 tires b/c they all need replacing but I am not sure if that is a good idea even with the 3.73s. Thoughts?

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Having rear end swap problems.. Got my crap on hold. Really sucks!! I started a thread asking about it. Looks like I will be converting to rear disc brakes. Been swimming in brake fluid.

I hope the 3.73 and G80 posi are worth it.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Well.. After new pads, new calipers, and turned rotors, I have 99-04 rearend and disc brakes on the rear of the 06.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...psdoib6tlw.jpg

I didn't want rear disc, I wanted the drums for towing but oh well. I did get the 3.73s and the posi. So much better, crusing right under 2000 rpms at 60 w/ the 3.73s and the 265/70R17s that are bald. Speedo is off 10mph.

Needs tires may bump up to 285/70R17 when I get some. Having trouble deciding.

I had problems with the DS caliper hanging up, on the 2nd new caliper it was still dragging some but I took a 10 minute drive to dump trash and when I got back it wasn't super hot like it was when I first drove 10 minutes to my buddies house.

Next is tires and to get rid of the V6 catback stock muffler. I heard flowmaster arent the best for LS engines so may investigate what is better. Still not dumping a lot into this truck. So far grand total is less than $2300 and is perfectly drivable as is just needs some tires.

Here is the only pic I have of it on the taller stock springs. I am on a hill and it doesn't have that much rake in person.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5fdpqi8e.jpg

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Nice work!

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Thanks! It was a lot of fun. :metal: Need some new tires on the actual 5 star chevy 17"s instead of the steel wheels that are on it now.

Then I gotta get rid of that v6 muffler I put on it.

I would love to bring that 4.8 torque curve up to match the 5.3's. If I could squeeze 40 ft/lbs more of torque out of the 4.8 I would be so happy.

Also, I have a couple spare cabs now with good glass. My front windshield has a crack, I want to remove the front windshield from another cab and replace the one on this truck. Thoughts? I also want to pull back glass from the Z71 cab b/c it is already tinted and swap it onto this truck.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

I picked these babies up in 2011 with brand new tires on them (still had the paint stripe on the tread) for a grand off craigslist (new tires alone were going to be $7-800!). Some guy bought a brand new truck and immediately put a lift and bigger tires on it. I think they came on 2010-ish to 2012/13 Z71's and higher trim level trucks. You can probably get a used set with good tires much cheaper now? I think they're the best looking "new" wheel GM has put on a truck in a long time. You WILL need the lug nuts that go WITH the wheels. I don't think the 99-06 lugnuts will work.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1322977826

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Your truck looks good!

I just noticed you are not far from me. I live in Saluda, SC but I work in Greenwood about 45 minutes from Greenville. I actually got the 06 4.8/auto 4x4 chassis from Greenville.

Yeah I have seen a few around a grand on craigslist. However, the $ I have dumped in this truck so far and christmas around the corner, my budget has all but dried up for this year as far as play $ goes.

My wife just started back working last week after year and a half of being pregnant/home with our son, so that helps a tad.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

I got mine from Alan's Wheels in Travelers Rest. He sells on ebay (and craigslist). I think he was asking $1,200 for them on ebay, but if I came and got them he'd take a grand if he could keep the wheel sensors. My truck don't need 'em, so he removed them while I was there and rebalanced them for me.

Congrats on the little guy! Throw some old used tires on it for now and keep an eye out for cool ones on Craigslist.

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Yup I have seen them on craigslist. Just gotta save up some spending $$.

Been searching high and low for used tires. Can't decide on 265s or 285s though!! I just picked up 5 - 285/70 R17s today, 3 bfg A/T that 2 are runnable but have wear on outer edges and 2 fierce attitude MTs that have about 1/4 tread or so. I want my tires to at least match though, when I was going to meet the guy I was thinking they were all same style tire so I got them for $50.

Still don't think I am going to run them though.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...pseitnl8rx.jpg

I did score this for $40 earlier this week and put it on. Looks sooo much better!! Just hate couldn't get it in black.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...psevzoywqx.jpg

I also went today and picked up two front fender flares today as well as front electric leather seats and center console from a 02 Z71.

Can't decide if I like the flares or not just yet. Still need to get the bobo metal rims off it.

OFF

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...pswk9qmt9c.jpg


ON

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/...psbpciy8w0.jpg

Thoughts? Should I find and buy some rears? Keep them black? Paint it all white?

Also where in the world is a good tutorial on putting in aftermarket stereo into one of these trucks. I understand that I have to run an alternate power wire from somewhere, constant hot or just ignition hot? Where do yall run it from? Any pics?

Re: 2006 Silverado body swap/frame(chassis) swap 4.3 2wd to 4.8 4wd
 

Looks good. How long did the swap take?